1990's Chanel Vintage Black Leather Unisex Bag
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 12 in (30.48 cm)Width: 6 in (15.24 cm)Length: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Very good, minor wear due to vintage age.
- Seller Location:West Hollywood, CA
- Reference Number:
Chanel
In the years following the opening of her modest millinery shop, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel became a pivotal designer of both fashionable casual wear and Paris haute couture as well as an icon and arbiter of 20th-century style with her bob haircut and pearls. Today vintage Chanel handbags, jackets and evening dresses are among the most sought-after clothing and accessories for fashion lovers all over the world.
The first Chanel shop was established in 1910 in Paris on rue Cambon by the young milliner Gabrielle Chanel (1883–1971), who had picked up the nickname “Coco” while working as a club singer. The boutique drew the attention of the Parisian fashion elite who popularized her wide-brimmed Chanel Modes hats. Soon she added a sportswear store in the Normandy resort town of Deauville, where Coco set the tone for her defining sense of style — traditionally masculine garments reimagined for feminine shapes, made from simple jersey fabric.
Effortless and elegant, Chanel's designs promoted comfort and grace in women’s wear that had been dominated in the previous century by complicated layers of fabric and cumbersome corsets. She followed this success with a couture house, opened in 1915 in Biarritz.
But Chanel was not born into a life of glamour. Following the death of her mother, her father left her in an orphanage where she lived until the age of 18. It was there that she learned to sew as well as appreciate the classic pairing of black and white as worn by the nuns.
In 1926, Chanel introduced her first little black dress, reclaiming a color that had once been reserved for mourning and working-class women. That same decade, she debuted her perfume, Chanel No. 5, as well as the Chanel suit with a fitted skirt, inspired by the boxy lines of men’s clothing and employing a sporty tweed.
Chanel closed her fashion operations during World War II, then returned to the industry in 1954 to design for the functional needs of modern women.
Structure and wearability endured in all of Chanel’s clothing and accessories, like the quilted leather 2.55 handbag — a 1955 update of a 1920s-era design — with its gold-chain shoulder strap that freed up a woman’s hands. Her collarless jacket reacted against the constricting styles of Christian Dior's New Look, replacing them with a design that was timeless, an instant classic. The 1957 two-tone slingback pumps had a practical heel height while offering a bold statement in the black tip of the shoes.
After Coco Chanel died in 1971, the brand underwent several changes in leadership, including fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who took over as artistic director in 1983. Over the years, the company has continued to innovate, such as expanding into ready-to-wear fashion in 1978 and, in 2002, establishing a subsidiary company — Paraffection — dedicated to preserving the heritage skills of fashion artisan workshops. The House of Chanel still operates its flagship on rue Cambon in Paris, where it all began.
Browse vintage Chanel bags, evening dresses, shoes, jewelry and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 2018 New Rare Hermes Birkin 35 Vert Cypress OfficeirBy HermèsLocated in West Hollywood, CAHermes collectible officier Birkin 35 cm in vert cypress togo leather with blue zellige swift stripes and interiors. Palladium hardware. Date stamp C for ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- 1990's Vintage Chanel Epsom Black Leather Zipped ToteBy ChanelLocated in West Hollywood, CAChanel authentic everyday bag in durable epsom leather and gold tone hardware. Top zipper, side open compartment and side zipped compartment. Collecti...Category
1990s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Bottega Veneta Black Leather HandbagBy Bottega VenetaLocated in West Hollywood, CABottega Veneta smooth and intrecciato combination black leather handbag. Spacious with two interior compartments plus a center zipped one. Tan su...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Top Handle Bags
- New in Box Louis Vuitton Portofino On The Go Limited Edition BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in West Hollywood, CALouis Vuitton 2020 limited edition "escale" collection. Portofino ultra limited VIP edition. Brand new in box with original dust cov...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Top Handle Bags
- Lady Dior Large Red Python BagBy Christian DiorLocated in West Hollywood, CAChristian Dior Python large Lady Dior bag in red. The handle drop is 4" and the shoulder strap drop 17". The bag has single zipper and one zip po...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Hermes 30 Ghillies Turquoise Birkin BagBy HermèsLocated in West Hollywood, CAHermès 30cm Ghillies Birkin in turquoise Togo and swift leather with palladium hardware. T stamp for 2015. Handle drop, 4"L. Excellent condition, used only a...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Chanel Lambskin Evening HandbagBy ChanelLocated in Scottsdale, AZWhen choosing your next bag, the answer is always vintage Chanel. This bag has all the classic hints of Chanel but different than anything you have seen before. Details include a kno...Category
Early 2000s French Top Handle Bags
- TYLER ELLIS Poppy Handbag Small in Black Ostrich Feathers with Gunmetal HardwareBy Tyler EllisLocated in Los Angeles, CAThe Poppy handbag small is featured in black ostrich feathers with gunmetal detail. This soft handbag is designed with a Lucite handle and our custom half-metal frame topped with our...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Top Handle Bags
- CHRISTIAN DIOR Black Monogram Canvas & Calfskin Leather Top Handle Box BagBy Christian DiorLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireCHRISTIAN DIOR Black Oblique Monogram Canvas & Calfskin Leather Vintage Top Handle Box Bag Serial Number: HE0082 Age (Circa): 2002 Authenticity Details: S...Category
Early 2000s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Rare Christian Dior 2004 Gambler Dice Bowler Style Handbag LG SizeBy Christian DiorLocated in Los Angeles, CAA rare runway Dior bowling bag as seen in the f/w 2004 Dior Poiret Collection. There were 2 sizes available and this is the largest size. Orig retai...Category
Early 2000s Top Handle Bags
- CHANEL Purple Lizard Mini Belt BagBy ChanelLocated in Paris, FRVintage CHANEL Purple Lizard Mini Belt Bag. The hardware is in matte silver metal. Worn on the shoulder or crossed. In very good condition. Made in Italy...Category
Early 2000s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Hermes Kelly Doll Quelle Idole Black AlligatorBy HermèsLocated in Paris, FRDesigned by Jean-Louis Dumas in 2000, reedited very rarely in very small quantities. Incredible mini kelly doll in alligator leather ! Crocodile leather is...Category
2010s French Top Handle Bags
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
From the Runway to Rihanna, These Chanel Pearl Sunglasses Are the Peak of ’90s Chic
This cheeky accessory is seriously fun.
With a Wink, Karl Lagerfeld Sent This Egg-Carton-Shaped Chanel Bag Down the Runway
For the brand’s 2014–15 ready-to-wear show in Paris, the designer was inspired by a most unexpected place: the supermarket.